“Maine was very different from home, from anything I knew before,” Sharifullah Abed recalls. “The winters were harsh, the streets were empty, and everyone felt like a stranger. I often felt lonely and homesick.”
When Abed arrived at the University of Maine (UMaine) from Nangarhar, Afghanistan, he found himself far from the close-knit communities he had known growing up. In Afghanistan, family, friends and neighbors were deeply connected. In Maine, it took him a while to see a familiar face or meet another Afghan.
For a time, life revolved around classes, the library and the challenge of adapting to a new environment. But as he became involved in the university’s international community, Abed began to find the connections he had been missing and to help other students find them as well.
Less than two years later, he found himself helping lead and support a community of students from more than 79 countries at UMaine.
This spring, he received the Office of International Programs Student Leadership Award for his contributions to the university’s international community and his leadership within the International Student Association (ISA). The award recognizes students who demonstrate leadership and service within the university’s international community.
“I was surprised when they called my name,” Abed said. “I received an award for helping other students find a community and a sense of belonging — the very things I struggled to find when I first arrived.
“Only two students received the award this year, and the other recipient was a graduating doctoral student. Being selected among them was both surprising and deeply humbling.”
Abed began his higher education at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in 2020. Following the collapse of Afghanistan, he transferred to the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, where he continued his education while working as a resident assistant and a website development intern.
In December 2023, he moved to the United States and enrolled at the University of Maine through the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP), Afghan Future Fund’s flagship education program, while completing his remaining coursework online through AUAF. He graduated from AUAF in December 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in information technology and computer science and recently earned a second bachelor’s degree in computer science from UMaine.
Despite the challenges, Abed gradually became involved in campus organizations and cultural events through UMaine’s international student community.
He said attending Coffee Hours and international gatherings first inspired him to think about leadership. “I remember attending Coffee Hours and other international events and thinking, ‘What if one day I could help lead this?’” he said.
In April 2024, Abed ran for vice president of the International Student Association, or ISA, and was elected. In that role, he worked closely with university offices and student leaders to support international students and strengthen communication between students and campus organizations.
Later, he ran for president of ISA and was elected. “That role completely transformed my experience,” he said.
As president, Abed became responsible for organizing events, leading volunteer teams, managing budgets and fundraising efforts, and representing international students within the University Student Government.
Among the initiatives he helped organize were weekly Coffee Hours, where students gathered to share food, traditions and experiences from different cultures.
He also played a key role in organizing UMaine’s Culture Festival, where participants from more than 40 countries showcased traditional food, clothing and cultural heritage.
Another event he helped lead was the International Dance Festival, one of the university’s largest multicultural events. “Seeing thousands of people come together to celebrate cultures from around the world became one of the most rewarding experiences of my university journey,” Abed said.
As a QSAP scholar, Abed said the program played a significant role in his academic and leadership journey.
“Through their financial and institutional support, I became more engaged in campus life, more focused in my studies and more confident in pursuing leadership opportunities,” Abed said. “I genuinely believe I would not be where I am today without that support.”
The experience also changed the way he thinks about community.
“Before coming to the United States, community mostly meant people who shared my background and culture,” he said. “Today, community means connection, support and belonging regardless of nationality or identity.”
That shift in perspective, he said, may be one of the most valuable lessons he gained during his time at UMaine.
Today, Abed works as a data engineer for the State of Maine’s Department of Data Analytics and Data Warehousing, following an internship with the department during his studies. He also plans to pursue graduate studies at the University of Maine, where he has already been admitted to the Data Science master’s program.
“Regardless of where the next step leads, I hope to continue serving communities, supporting students and creating spaces where people feel welcomed and valued,” he said.